Sections

EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 4-9 December 2017

01 December 2017, 15:42 CET

This week, transport ministers adopt conclusions on trans-European transport networks and digitalisation of transport; the Eurogroup elects a new President; finance ministers are to approve an EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions; the Commission awards the Access City Awards, and holds European Trade Policy Day; MEPs in committee vote on cash control at borders; and it's European Day of Persons with Disabilities. The week's events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of 4 to 9 December 2017.

Monday 4 December

Council of the EU and European Council, Presidency of the Council of the EU, Political Meetings, Transport and travel

Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council

Brussels

Telecommunications

The Council is due to agree a general approach on an updated mandate for the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communication (BEREC).

Ministers will also look at the progress made on a proposal to update privacy rules for electronic communications (ePrivacy).

They will hold a policy debate on a draft regulation on the free flow of non-personal data.

The presidency will brief ministers on the state of play of negotiations on a European electronic communications code. It will also provide information on Council conclusions on cyber security, from 20 November, as well as a draft Council action plan for their implementation.

Lastly, the incoming Bulgarian presidency will present its work programme.

Transport

The Council will assess the progress of the proposals relating to market access and social aspects, part of the 'first mobility package'. Presented by the Commission in June, these proposals include new rules on the posting of workers in the transport sector.

Ministers will hold a policy debate on the road charging proposals of the same package, including the 'Eurovignette' directive.

The Council will look at the progress made on the proposed regulation on safeguarding competition in air transport.

The Council is also due to adopt three sets of conclusions:

on the progress in trans-European transport networks (TEN-T) and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

on digitalisation of transport

on the mid-term evaluation of the Galileo, EGNOS and the European GNSS agency

Other topics on the agenda include the presentation by the Commission of the second batch of its mobility proposals, adopted in November. These proposals relate to clean road transport vehicles, combined transport of goods, and access to the international market for coach and bus services.

The incoming Bulgarian presidency will also present its work programme.

Monday 4 December

Council of the EU and European Council, Presidency of the Council of the EU, Political Meetings, Economy and the euro

Eurogroup

Brussels

The Eurogroup will meet in two formats - the first part will be a regular meeting of the euro area ministers starting at 13.00, while the second part will be a meeting of the ministers of 27 EU member states starting at 18.00, with the aim of preparing the December Euro Summit.

Meeting in euro area format

Greece's adjustment programme: state of play

The Eurogroup will discuss the state of play of the ongoing third review of Greece's macroeconomic adjustment programme. Teams of the institutions (the European Commission, the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Stability Mechanism) have recently returned to Athens to resume the talks they are having with the Greek authorities under the third review.

Post-programme surveillance: Cyprus and Spain

The Eurogroup will be informed of the main results of post-programme surveillance missions to Cyprus and Spain, carried out by the staff of the European Commission and the European Central Bank, in September and October respectively this year.

The post-programme surveillance is carried out in countries that have completed economic adjustment programmes. The aim is to detect any risks to the country's ability to repay the loans it received under the programme. The surveillance continues until at least 75% of the loans are repaid.

Thematic discussions on growth and jobs: tax wedge on labour

The Eurogroup will hold a follow-up discussion on the tax wedge on labour. Ministers will assess progress towards the benchmarks agreed by the Eurogroup in September 2015, on the basis of the draft budgetary plans.

In September 2015, the Eurogroup agreed to benchmark euro area member states' tax burden on labour to better inform and guide national reforms in this area.

Draft budgetary plans and overall budgetary situation

The Eurogroup will discuss the euro area countries' draft budgetary plans for 2018 and the overall budgetary situation in the euro area. The draft budgetary plans are submitted to the European Commission and the Eurogroup between 1 and 15 October each year.

The Eurogroup's discussion is based on an assessment by the Commission.

Eurogroup work programme

The Eurogroup is expected to adopt its work programme for the first semester of 2018.

Election of the new President of the Eurogroup

The ministers will elect a new Eurogroup President, as the term of the incumbent President, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, ends in mid-January 2018. The president is elected by a simple majority, in line with Protocol 14 of the EU Treaty.

Meeting in extended format

Deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union

The ministers will continue their preparation of the Euro Summit meeting of 15 December, which will discuss matters related to the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the completion of the banking union.

Monday 4 - Tuesday 5 December

Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Food, farming and fisheries, Research and innovation

Standing committee of agricultural research (SCAR) conference: Research policy, state-of-play and the future of SCAR in the European bioeconomy

Tallinn, Estonia

The conference is, among others, organised by the Estonian Ministry of Rural Affairs. It will bring together policy stakeholders, SCAR representatives, and SCAR's Strategic working group and Collaborative working group chairs, to jointly build a stronger EU bioeconomy research policy.

The objective is to deliberate the findings of recent policy, foresights, and reviews to increase the impact of SCAR outcomes at national levels. Recommendations will be made to increase the participation of Member States in SCAR activities, thus promoting a more effective coverage of the wider bioeconomy and the development of more successful national bioeconomies.

The keynotes and group discussions aim to increase knowledge of SCAR objectives, activities and outcomes and identify how SCAR could contribute in its advisory functions. The conference sessions are designed to make the advantages and opportunities for active involvement in SCAR work more visible. The meeting wishes to reach out in particular to those countries where the national authorities are interested in raising their respective countries' profile in SCAR and to foster the uptake of SCAR outcomes nationally.

Monday 4 - Tuesday 5 December

European Day of Persons with Disabilities

Brussels

The European Commission organises this event together with the European Disability Forum.

This year, the European Day of Persons with Disabilities will focus on citizenship. The rights of EU citizens through diverse EU initiatives, the question of political participation but also the possibility of living in a fairer and more inclusive environment will be discussed.

The purpose is to direct participants towards concrete solutions in order to improve the everyday life of persons with disabilities. Each panel will give an overview of legal and political frameworks, followed by personal testimonies and examples. Experts will be present to exchange views with the public and explain how they deal with the challenge of disability.

People with disabilities, organisations or groups of persons with disabilities (DPOs), associations and companies working to improve the life of people with disabilities, government representatives, EU institutions representatives, academics and many others will attend the conference.

Monday 4 - December

European Food Safety Authority, , Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Food, farming and fisheries, Research and innovation

Tips and tricks on the assessment of feed additives

Online

The aim of this webinar is to help applicants better understand the principles behind the risk assessment of feed additives of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and improve the quality of their technical dossiers. This should lead to quicker assessment of applications and efficiency gains.

The webinar is for applicants who are not yet familiar with the EU process of authorisation of feed additives. Experienced applicants will refresh their knowledge. For EFSA staff this is an opportunity to explore applicants' needs and collect useful information to tailor future activities.

Monday 4 December

European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs

European Parliament Committee and Political Group Meetings

Brussels

Cash control: an update of EU rules on checking on cash entering or leaving the EU will be voted on by Civil Liberties and Economic Affairs committees. The aim is to step up detection of money laundering and financing of illegal activities such as terrorism. It would extend the definition of "cash" to include prepaid cards and commodities, such as gold coins and bars.

Plenary preparations: political groups will prepare for December Strasbourg plenary debates and votes on Parliament's recommendations for the next steps in Brexit negotiations ahead of the EU December summit, the final report of the inquiry committee on money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion (PANA) and the extension of the "Juncker" fund (EFSI) for investment in growth and jobs. MEPs will also consider whether to veto the Commission's proposal to allow phosphate in kebab.

Monday 4 - Thursday 7 December

European nuclear safeguards training seminar

Luxembourg

The aim of the seminar is to convey to participants a good general understanding of all aspects of the EURATOM treaty, in particular of chapter VII on nuclear safeguards in the EU, and to familiarise them with the legislative framework for implementing EURATOM nuclear safeguards.

At the end of the course, participants will:

have a good general understanding of the EURATOM treaty and in particular its safeguards provisions

have a very good understanding of the EURATOM regulation 302/2005 and its requirements for accountancy and reporting, including practical applications

understand the modalities for the cooperation between the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the context of safeguards inspections

be aware of the EURATOM requirements and consequently expectations towards the operators

Tuesday 5 - Wednesday 6 December

European Aviation Safety Agency, Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Security and defence, Transport and travel

11th rotorcraft symposium

Cologne, Germany

The rotorcraft symposium is the European reference event which provides a forum to discuss developments in the rotary wings domain and their safety objectives and achievements.

The discussion will address initial and continuing airworthiness certification standards, research projects, safety enhancement developments such as on future main gear box design, performance based navigation (PBN) specifications, required navigation performance (RNP), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) safety risk portfolio for the different helicopter operations, and several topics currently developed by the recently created Rotorcraft sectorial committee.

Since more than a decade the symposium's success has been based on the support from those presenting and on the high quality of the subjects proposed.

Tuesday 5 - Thursday 7 December

Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Justice and citizens' rights, Research and innovation

Conference on migration and technology

Lisbon, Portugal

In the framework of the EUROMED Migration IV (EMM4) programme, this event will bring together stakeholders to exchange experiences and share common challenges and opportunities when it comes to migration and technology, in line with the focus of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU on digital innovation and e-government. This event will be held in a peer-to-peer setting.

Tuesday 5 December

European Trade Policy Day – Trade policy in a turbulent world

Brussels

To what extent can a progressive trade policy in itself be part of the answer to the backlash against globalisation? How can a Europe that protects, best deal with those that globalisation has left behind? How can we best deal with new challenges such as 'alternative facts'? And as we head towards the third decade of the century, where should our priorities for trade policy lie?

These are the sort of issues that will be discussed at this year's European Trade Policy Day. The conference will be based on a series of discussions with leading businessmen and women, stakeholders, experts and journalists.

The conference is part of the Commission's commitment to step up its efforts to promote a deeper dialogue with civil society at large. It will enable Commissioner Malmström and her colleagues to have an open and frank discussion with civil society about EU trade policy and the challenges ahead.

Tuesday 5 December

Access City Award 2018

EU cities are invited to participate in the 8th edition of the Access City Award - the European prize for making cities more accessible to people with disabilities and older people.

European cities over 50,000 inhabitants will have the opportunity to present their activities and strategies designed to make cities barrier-free, better places for everyone to live and work.

At a ceremony during the annual European day of people with disabilities conference in Brussels on 5 December, the European Commission will hand over awards to 5 EU cities. There will be first, second and third prizes plus special mentions.

The workshop aims at strengthening capacity in EU and EEA countries in increasing and strengthening knowledge on the use of scientific evidence for assessment, decision-making and communication of cross-border health threats in the EU.

The objectives of the course are:

to bring country experts together to exchange experiences and views in relation to detection, preparedness, assessment and control of public health threats with a cross-border dimension at the EU level

to offer the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) updates on core activities, recent developments, guidance and tools to attention of national experts; and identify ways to adapt approaches to Member States' realities and design concrete actions to implement in their institutions of origin

Tuesday 5 - Wednesday 6 December

2nd ASEM conference on sanitary and phytosanitary measures

Brussels

The Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) brings together 21 Asian countries and 30 European countries, as well as the European Commission and the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Its aim is to promote dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Asia in all areas of common interest.

Considering the utmost importance that food safety has for all ASEM members and the need to foster technical and scientific cooperation in this area, a first ASEM seminar on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and food safety was organised by the European Commission in 2015. Given its valuable outcome, it was decided that a second conference should take place.

This second conference will focus on the main aspects related to food safety, in particular on food standards and official controls, e-commerce practices, food related frauds and animal health international standards. It will also include a session on combatting antimicrobial resistance.

Tuesday 5 December

Council of the EU and European Council, Presidency of the Council of the EU, Political Meetings, Economy and the euro

Economic and Financial Affairs Council

Brussels

The Council will be called on to approve an EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent tax fraud and to promote good governance worldwide.

Before the Council, ministers will hold a breakfast meeting to discuss the economic situation. They will also discuss the annual report of the European Fiscal Board, an advisory body that assesses implementation of the EU's fiscal rules.

It is expected to adopt conclusions on the taxation of profits in the digital economy, with a view to discussions at international level.

The Council will also be called on to adopt proposals related to electronic commerce, making it easier for online businesses to comply with VAT obligations.

Ministers will discuss proposals aimed at reducing risk in the banking industry. They will take stock of work on a proposed European Deposit Insurance Scheme and regarding non-performing loans in the banking sector.

The Council is expected to close the excessive deficit procedure for the United Kingdom. It is expected to find that Romania has failed to take effective action to correct a significant budgetary deviation, and to issue a new recommendation under the 'significant deviation procedure'.

The event, organised under the auspices of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will launch the results of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights' (FRA) second EU Minorities and Discrimination Survey.

The findings are based on interviews with over 25 500 people with ethnic minority or immigrant backgrounds on their discrimination and victimisation experiences from all 28 EU Member States. It also collected information on income and living conditions and issues related to social inclusion and participation.

Discussions will focus on discrimination and rights awareness, victimisation and policy, and living together in the EU covering aspects of social inclusion, cohesion, participation & belonging.

The survey builds on FRA's first such survey in 2008 and identifies general trends that will provide policymakers with the necessary comparable data on the impact of their laws and policies on the ground.

Wednesday 6 December

European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs

European Parliament Committee and Political Group Meetings

Brussels

Parliament of Persons with Disabilities: organisations of people with disabilities from all over Europe will join MEPs, Commissioners and other EU institutions' representatives for the 4th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities, to discuss issues such as participation in political and public life. Parliament President Antonio Tajani and European Disability Forum President Yannis Vardakastanis will open the event.

Interreligious dialogue: the role of the EU in the world will be debated with representatives of religious communities. EP President Antonio Tajani, Vice-President Mairead McGuinness and Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans will open the debate. The event is part of a regular dialogue between the EU institutions and religious as well as non-confessional organisations.

Wednesday 6 - Thursday 7 December

European Economic and Social Committee, Events/Conf/Fairs, Economy and the euro, Employment and social rights, Food, farming and fisheries

530th EESC plenary session

Brussels

The European Economic and Social Committee is holding its 530th plenary session on 6-7 December 2017.

On the first day, there will be a debate with Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on civil society's contribution to the development of a comprehensive food policy in the EU.

On the second day, there will be a debate with Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for the Budget and Human Resources, on the future of EU finances up to 2025, as well as an award ceremony for the Civil Society Prize.

Wednesday 6 December

Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Economy and the euro

Growing united: Reigniting Europe's convergence machine

Brussels

This is a launch event for a new World Bank study on inclusive growth in the European Union - 'Growing united: Reigniting Europe's convergence machine'.

The study examines long-term trends and drivers of convergence in living standards between countries, regions and households in the EU and the impact of megatrends like demographic change and workplace automation and proposes a new policy agenda for inclusive growth.

The event will be co-hosted by the Minister for Health and Labour of Estonia, Jevgeni Ossinovski, and the World Bank Regional Director for the EU, Arup Banerji, and will involve a panel discussion.

Wednesday 6 December

European Parliament, Events/Conf/Fairs, Consumer affairs and public health, Justice and citizens' rights

4th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities

European Parliament, Brussels

The European Disability Forum (EDF) with the European Parliament (EP) is actively preparing the 4th edition of a major event: the European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities (EPPD).

This event will bring together hundreds of delegates of representative organisations of persons with disabilities from all over Europe, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and high level representatives of other EU institutions. Already more than 450 delegates from the European disability movement from across the EU have confirmed their participation in the event.

The EPPD is a landmark event which represents a unique opportunity for European citizens with disabilities, both leaders and grass-root activists, to have a dialogue with their elected representatives and speak up for their rights. It is a unique event which shows Parliament's support to persons with disabilities and the importance of the dialogue between European citizens with disabilities and their MEPs.

This year, the 4th EPPD will coincide with the 20th anniversary of EDF, and the European Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Thursday 7 - Friday 8 December

Council of the EU and European Council, Presidency of the Council of the EU, Political Meetings, Employment and social rights

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

Brussels

Employment and social policy

The Council aims to reach a general approach on the accessibility for products and services directive. This would enable people with disabilities and functional limitations to participate effectively in society.

Ministers will look to agree a partial general approach on the coordination of social security systems regulation. This concerns long-term care and family benefits.

The Council will also assess progress with the directives on equal treatment and work-life balance.

Health

Ministers will debate the pharmaceutical policy in the EU. The point of focus will be strengthening the balance of the pharmaceutical system at EU and national level.

The Council will also adopt conclusions on digital health and on cross-border aspects in alcohol policy.

Thursday 7 December

High-level conference on transparency and integrity, professionalisation and large infrastructures: Joining forces in public procurement to power investment

Brussels

This conference aims to build a partnership between EU institutions, national and other authorities, and stakeholders to make public procurement work better. It follows the European Commission's recent adoption of a strategic package on public procurement.

The conference will be opened by Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska. A high-level plenary session will be followed by three thematic panels: transparency and integrity, professionalisation and large infrastructures.

The conference will bring together European experts from national ministries and policy-making bodies, EU cities, contracting authorities, EU and international institutions, and the business community.

Thursday 7 December

European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs

European Parliament Committee and Political Group Meetings

Brussels

Rule of law/Hungary: Civil Liberties Committee MEPs will quiz representatives of the Hungarian government, civil society and others on the situation of the rule of law in the country. The hearing is part of their work, requested by the full House in October, to assess whether Hungary is at risk of a serious breach of EU values.

Eurozone/Dijsselbloem: Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem will join the Economic and Monetary Committee to discuss the Eurozone countries' budgetary plans for 2018 and the overall budgetary situation in the Eurozone as well as plans to develop the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) further. EU governments should appoint his successor on 4 December.

Thursday 7 December

European Investment Bank, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, taxation and competition, Economy and the euro, Research and innovation

Global investment forum: New technologies and inclusive innovation

Brussels

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is organising a high-level conference in partnership with the Financial Times. Entitled 'Global investment forum', the conference will be the 1st edition of an annual event. The 2017 version will focus on new technologies and inclusive innovation and shed further light on the specific role of investment in supporting sustainable innovation: who should invest in what, to remedy which market failures? How do we make innovation inclusive?

EIB President Werner Hoyer, Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle and Vice-President Alexander Stubb will join leading policymakers, experts and practitioners to discuss key aspects of the current debate – future habitats, disruptive innovation, the future of work, the digital divide and the future of education – by checking the facts, taking a closer look at global trends and proposing possible solutions.

Thursday 7 December

European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, Research and innovation

Connecting Europe with building blocks: Making the Digital Single Market a reality

Brussels

The main objective of this event is to showcase concrete examples of how the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) building blocks successfully contribute to creating a Digital Single Market.

High-level representatives and distinguished panellists from the private sector (such as banking and telecom) will successfully demonstrate the value of the building blocks and the electronic identification, authentication and trust services regulation (eIDAS Regulation) in the internal market for the realisation of the Digital Single Market.

This event will also clearly illustrate how the building blocks facilitate the creation of cross-border digital public services and related benefits for citizens, businesses and public administrations. It will also offer a unique forum for discussion on future CEF building blocks and remaining challenges to be addressed in the realisation of the Digital Single Market.

Friday 8 - Sunday 10 December

Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Justice and citizens' rights

Annual conference of human rights 2017

Tallinn, Estonia

The annual conference of the Estonian Institute of Human Rights is one of the most important events related to human rights in Estonia.

Every year, the conference welcomes over 400 activists, diplomats, politicians, analysts and experts from Estonia and the rest of the world who wish to resolve important topical issues related to human rights.

The patron of the event is Kersti Kaljulaid, the President of the Republic of Estonia.

This event is organised under the auspices of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU.